Going on now

Wicked play, around the world

Now playing: Wicked. This is the award-winning musical based on Gregory Maguire's novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The book is by Winnie Holzman, the music by Stephen Schwartz, and the show is directed by Joe Mantello. It has done so well, it has spawned the following productions:

Ozmafia anime series, on the Internet

Now playing: Ozmafia anime series, crunchyroll.com. In this Japanese anime series (based on the video game of the same name), Scarlet is a new transfer student at Oz Academy. He doesn't get off to a good start, but the teachers seem nice enough. But what strange secrets are hiding at Oz Academy, and why are they at war with the other academies? Episodes (in Japanese, with English subtitles) are available to view online at http://www.crunchyroll.com/ozmafia for free.

The Wizard of Oz and The Wiz, throughout the United Kingdom

Now playing: The Wizard of Oz, throughout the United Kingdom. Oz is a popular show to perform in the United Kingdom, and there always seems to be a show going on somewhere. For a complete listing of all upcoming productions of The Wizard of Oz in the United Kingdom, see the listings at The List, naturally. They also have listings for performances of The Wiz.

Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, Internet Streaming and Cablecast

Now playing: Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz cartoon series, Internet Streaming, Boomerang. Boomerang brings you the latest Oz cartoon series, based (very loosely) on the famous 1939 film version. Dorothy is now a princess of Oz and living in the Emerald City with Queen Ozma. But she's still having adventures! The first episode is free on the Boomerang website, but getting the rest means subscribing to Boomerang's streaming service. For more information, see the show's website at https://www.boomerang.com/shows/dorothy-franchise/series/dorothy-series. Or, if you have the Boomerang or Cartoon Network cable channels, episodes are now being shown there as well. Other territories around the world, outside the United States, also have the show, so check your local version of the Cartoon Network or Boomerang channels or websites.

Lost in Oz series, Internet streaming

Now playing: Lost in Oz, Amazon Video streaming. This new animated series from Amazon tells the story of Dorothy, a modern-day girl, and her dog Toto, who are whisked to Oz when Dorothy opens one of her mother's old journals. To get home, she must find the elements of magic and help restore magic to Oz. Fortunately she has made friends with Ojo the Munchkin and West, a trainee witch, to help her out. To get started, see Amazon's Lost in Oz website at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z89MYTI, which now includes season 1B!

Chronicles of Oz podcast, the Internet

Now streaming: The Chronicles of Oz podcast, seasons 1 and 2. This audio adaptation of the first two Oz books, each in six episodes, presents The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Marvellous Land of Oz. Produced by Crossover Adventure Productions out of Australia. All episodes, along with trailers and other materials, can be downloaded at http://chroniclesofoz.com/.

The Royal Podcast of Oz, the Internet

Now streaming: The Royal Podcast of Oz, podbean.com and other podcasting sites. Now running for over a decade, this podcast is devoted to all things Oz, with interviews, reviews, news, and other items of interest to Oz fans of all types. You can listen to or download all editions at https://royalpodcastoz.podbean.com/, or look for it on your favorite podcast site.

Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me, National Public Radio

Now streaming: Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me edition of May 11, 2019, npr.org. The popular current events quiz show recorded this episode in St. Louis, and got one of the city's most celebrated residents to play "Not My Job". Former Cardinals shortstop and Hall of Fame inductee Ozzie Smith was nicknamed "The Wizard of Oz" in his playing days, so naturally, he gets to answer questions about The Wizard of Oz! You can listen to the entire episode here, or just Smith's segment here.

San Diego County Fair, Del Mar, California

Now through July 4, 2019: San Diego County Fair, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, California. The theme for the 2019 edition of the fair is "Oz-some," and events will tie into the Oz mythos—the books as well as the movies. This is all to celebrate San Diego's connection to Oz, as author and Oz creator L. Frank Baum spent many winters in Coronado. For more information, see the fair's website.

June 2019

Journey with Dorothy, Beech Mountain, North Carolina

June Thursdays and Fridays (plus Wednesday the 26th), 2019: Journey with Dorothy, Land of Oz Park, Beech Mountain, North Carolina. The site of the Land of Oz amusement park from 1970 to 1980, much of the park is still there and occasionally opens fro tours and other events. On Fridays in June, you can visit and take a tour with Dorothy or one of her famous friends as your tour guide. For more information, see the event's website at https://www.landofoznc.com/journeywithdorothy. (UPDATE: It's sold out for this year. Start planning for 2020 now!)

Wizard of Oz Festival, Grand Rapids, Minnesota

June 20-22, 2019: Wizard of Oz Festival, Judy Garland Museum and environs, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Judy Garland's home town celebrates her most famous role in this annual festival, with events all over town spread out over three days. For more information, keep an eye on the museum's website at http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/ for more information.

Oz: The National Convention, Thibodaux, Louisiana

June 20-23, 2019: Oz: The National Convention, Thibodaux, Louisiana. The International Wizard of Oz Club's National Convention comes to the Louisiana bayous. The Convention itself is June 21-23, with an optional Craft Day on June 20. More information will be coming later, but keep your eye on the event's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/209387426596512/.

July 2019

OzCon International, Pomona, California

July 26-28, 2019: OzCon International, Kellogg West Conference Center, Pomona, California. The annual west coast meeting of Oz fans celebrates two important milestones, marking the one hundredth anniversary of the passing of L. Frank Baum and the publication of his penultimate Oz book, The Magic of Oz. The convention also celebrates the eightieth anniversary of the famous MGM film version of The Wizard of Oz, and the new animated series Lost in Oz and Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. For more information, including purchasing memberships and meals, keep an eye on the convention's website.

September 2019

Autumn at Oz Party, Banner Elk, North Carolina

September (exact dates to be announced), 2019: Autumn at Oz Party, Beech Mountain, Banner Elk, North Carolina. The Wizard of Oz Park on the mountain may no longer be in regular operation, but it's still there, and Oz and park fans get together once a year for a party. For more information, check out http://www.landofoznc.com/autumnatoz.

Midwest Oz Fest 2019, Tinley Park, Illinois

September 21-22, 2019: Midwest Oz Fest 2018, Tinley Park, Illinois. The southwest suburbs of Chicago are hosting a big festival, with vendors and food and rides and games and parades and all the rest. It's early still, but to stay on top of the festival's progress, keep an eye on the Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/events/156284901679198/.

October 2019

Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas

October (exact date to be announced), 2019: Oztoberfest, Wamego, Kansas. The town not only has an Oz museum, they put on an annual Oz festival. Authors and other special guests will attend, and there's also admission to the museum. For more details, call the Oz museum at 1-866-458-TOTO, or see the event's website at http://oztoberfest.com/.

OzFest, Liberal, Kansas

October (exact date to be announced), 2019: OzFest, Liberal, Kansas. The home town of the Dorothy's House attraction hosts its annual tribute to Dorothy and Oz. For more information, see the city's events page and the city's website (and be sure to call 1-800-LIBERAL to confirm event and dates).

The Wizard of Oz Eightieth Anniversary Cruise, Miami, Florida

October 28-November 1, 2019: The Wizard of Oz Eightieth Anniversary Cruise, Miami, Florida, with other ports of call. Celebrate eighty years of one of the world's most beloved movies on the Carnival Victory boat, visiting Key West and Cozumel, Mexico. For more information, see the cruise's information page at https://www.travelwithhilo.com/0z-80th.

November/December 2019

The Wizard of Oz, holiday cablecasts

The Wizard of Oz holiday cablecasts, TBS and TNT. The stations' annual holiday season showings of the famous film version are, generally speaking, around Thanksgiving on TBS and Christmas on TNT. See your local listings for channel and times in your area. Keep checking back for details throughout the season.

February 2020

Dorothy and the Prince of Oz ballet, Tulsa, Oklahoma

February 13-16, 2020: Dorothy and the Prince of Oz ballet, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma.' Tulsa Ballet is bringing back this original Oz story, told as a ballet. Oz is in danger, and only Dorothy can save the prince and unite his kingdom. With the Scarecrow's help, she may even find love. For more information, or to purchase tickets, see the company's website at https://tulsaballet.org/dorothy-the-prince-of-oz/.

Quadling Convention, Tulsa, Oklahoma

February 14-16, 2020: Quadling Convention, Hampton Inn Central Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma. The annual QuadCon is a little early this year, as Tulsa Ballet has brought back its production of Dorothy and the Prince of Oz. One of the QuadCon activities will be the Sunday matinée performance. Other convention-only activities will be held Friday evening and on Saturday. The convention will celebrate one hundred years of the book Glinda of Oz and yes, Glinda herself will make an appearance. For more information, contact host Susan Hall at this address.

March 2020

Wicked Marathon/Half Marathon/5K race, Wamego, Kansas

March 30, 2019: Wicked Marathon/Half Marathon/5K race, Wamego, Kansas. The annual Oz-themed road race, in the home of the Oz Museum, benefits the Wamego High School cross-country team and other running and fitness charities in the area. There is also a carbo-loading spaghetti feed the night before. For more information, and to register, see https://runsignup.com/Race/KS/Wamego/WickedFast and http://wickedmarathon.org/.

April 2020

Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas

April, 2020 (exact date to be announced): Garmin Marathon in the Land of Oz, Olathe, Kansas. If you're going to have a 26.2-mile run in Kansas, you may as well give it an Oz theme! For more information and to register, see the race's website at http://ozrun.org/.

May/June, 2020

Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York

May/June (exact dates to be announced), 2020: Oz-Stravaganza, Chittenango, New York. L. Frank Baum's home town honors their favorite son with this annual festival (formerly known as OzFest). Events include a children's Oz costume contest; craft and vendor booths; the Munchkin Mile Kids Fun Run; and lots of other contests. For more information, see the festival's website at http://www.oz-stravaganza.com/, or the town's website at http://www.chittenango.org.

December 2021

Wicked movie, cinemas worldwide

December 22, 2021: Wicked movie, cinemas worldwide. The original release date for 2019 didn't pan out, but Universal is trying again by announcing a new release date for the film version of the hit Broadway musical version of the story of the witches of Oz, based on the novel by Gregory Maguire. Keep watching this space for updates, including casting.